This is the first release on LP by Ray Charles. It was originally released in 1957 on Atlantic Records, and it was also known as “Hallelujah I Love Her So” as it was re-released under this title in 1962. A number of the tracks had already been hit singles for Charles in the preceding years, such as “Mess Around” in 1953, “A Fool for You” and “I Got A Woman” in 1955, “Drown In My Own Tears” and “Hallelujah I Love Her So” in 1956.

He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as “The Genius”. Among friends and fellow musicians, he preferred being called “Brother Ray”.Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due to glaucoma. 

You may well recognise ‘I’ve Got A Woman’ from Kanye West’s 2005 single in which it is sampled and, hopefully, it pointed a lot of folks back in time to other work by Charles, so much of which is worth exploring. Even though West is somewhat problematic nowadays.

Ray Charles: The Genius in Motion

1. Blinded by Glaucoma at Age 7
   Ray Charles lost his sight due to glaucoma, but he began learning piano, clarinet, and saxophone even before that. His sense of musical structure and memory was off the charts.
2. Nicknamed “The Genius”
   Though originally dubbed “The Genius of Soul” by fans and critics, the simpler nickname “The Genius” stuck—and for good reason. He could master just about any genre.
3. Blended Gospel with R&B
   Charles pioneered the fusion of gospel vocals with secular lyrics and blues rhythms, creating the blueprint for soul music.
4. Multi-Instrumentalist Extraordinaire
   While known primarily for his voice and piano playing, Charles also played alto sax, organ, and even trumpet—he had serious musical range.
5. Mentored by Nat King Cole and Charles Brown
   His early style was heavily influenced by smooth vocalists like Nat King Cole and Charles Brown, though Ray eventually evolved into something rawer and more deeply emotional.

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Ray Charles (1957): The Debut That Started It All

6. Compilation of Earlier Singles
   The album wasn’t recorded as a traditional debut; it was a collection of his earlier R&B singles from 1953–1956 on Atlantic Records, showcasing his evolution.
7. First Album for Atlantic Records
   This was Ray’s first full-length release for Atlantic, the label that gave him the space to develop his unique, gritty R&B style.
8. Features the Hit “I Got a Woman”
   One of his biggest hits, “I Got a Woman,” is on this album. It helped launch soul music by blending gospel fervor with secular themes and R&B grooves.
9. Genre-Busting Sound
   The album fuses blues, gospel, jazz, and R&B—setting the stage for Ray’s genre-bending career that would eventually include country, pop, and classical.
10. Backed by Top Session Musicians
    Though not always credited, Ray often worked with top-notch session musicians who helped shape the tight, swinging sound of his early records.